Method and device for mobile training data acquisition and analysis of strength training

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to the field of mobile training data acquisition in sport, particularly in strength training, body building, fitness sports and rehabilitation, as well as the analysis of said training data. The invention involves a method and a mobile device ( 1 ) for precise acquisition of multiple training data. The multiple training data includes, for example, the time-path curve of the force application point of the training load, the mechanical work and the tension duration of eccentric and concentric muscle length changes and isometric muscle contractions. An analysis of the training data is based on a training model ( 25 ).

This is the U.S. national stage of International applicationPCT/EP2012/075660, filed Dec. 14, 2012 designating the United States andclaiming priority to German application DE 10 2011 121 259.4, filed Dec.15, 2011.

In fitness studios, weight rooms, health centers, physiotherapypractices or rehabilitation institutions, athletes/patients are providedwith a large number of training utensils, which, inter alia, can besubdivided into training with dumbbells, barbells, own body weight,stationary machines/equipment, cable machines and cardio-equipment. Dueto the low opposing force of the cardio-equipment, endurance training iscarried out; by way of example, the pulse is acquired and the calorieconsumption is calculated. By contrast, in strength training work isundertaken against higher loads and e.g. dumbbells, barbells, machines,cable machines or the own body weight are used as opposing force. Theterm strength training can also include bodybuilding, muscle strengthtraining and, in parts, fitness training. The goal of strength training,particularly in the case of fitness-oriented strength training, is toincrease the maximum strength and the muscle increase connectedtherewith. The previous inventions in strength training usually acquirethe training data on large, stationary machines, for example by means ofcable pull sensors. Other mobile devices measure parameters such as e.g.change in angle, force, speed or power, which are applied for directassessment or optimization of the performance. In the following text,the previous inventions and options for training data acquisition andthe analysis of this training data are explained.

EP 1834583B1 and US 20110207581A1 describe an invention which usesaccelerometers to calculate parameters such as e.g. muscular strength,speed, power, height of the jump in the case of countermovement jumps,reactivity, muscular elasticity property or coordination by carrying outtest movements in order to acquire directly the training state or theperformance level of the athlete and to optimize the training bycalculations on the basis of the acceleration values. Here, thisinvolves a limited number of tests, such as e.g. the acquisition of thejump height in the case of a countermovement jump. The trainingoptimizations are based on acceleration data or the aforementionedmuscular parameters. A personalized “muscular profile” (US20110207581A1, page 3, [0043]) is based on strength, power and speedcurves. “Personalized power curves” (US 20110207581A1, page 3, [0044])render it possible to set the training load in order to cause specificadaptations by selected training regions (e.g. muscle hypertrophy). Thisform of determining the maximum strength (repetition maximum,abbreviated RM) sets the training intensity load parameter, i.e. thetraining load, as a result of which the training is to be optimized.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,361B1 describes an invention which generates tensionforces with the desired resistive force in several cables by means of acontrolling structure. Using this invention, any form of trainingexercise can be carried out with a resistive force, even in agravity-free environment. This invention enables stationary strengthtraining.

WO 9426359 describes an invention, which acquires the movement of ajoint by means of an inclination sensor. By means of this invention, itis possible to store individual predetermined rehabilitation programsand to acquire the fulfillment of the rehabilitation program on thebasis of angle measurements in the joints. This invention ischaracterized in that it undertakes calculations by means of aninclination sensor.

US 0250286A1 describes an invention for monitoring movements of asubject by means of a multiplicity of sensor elements attached tomovable body segments of a subject. By means of this invention, it ispossible to register a multiplicity of movements during acute andchronic lifting tasks in order to determine and correct disease of thelumbar vertebral column and repetitive load injuries.

JP 2007209636 describes an invention, which enables an individualundertaking training to acquire measurement variables from a trainingrepetition, such as time or frequency, by means of an accelerometer andto transfer said measurement variables to a computer.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,925B2 describes an invention which can measure themovement repetitions of training exercises of an athlete by means of aproximity sensor. By means of this invention, it is possible to acquirethe number of movement repetitions in certain exercises.

US 20080090703A1 describes an invention for automatically countingrepetitions and orchestrating exercises. This invention enables accessto a predetermined training program from a portable computer such ase.g. a smartphone or PDA. The movement repetitions are added, like inthe invention U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,925B2. To this end, two differentmodules are necessary. Firstly, a “portable computer device”, such ase.g. a smartphone and an external transmitter with accelerometer, whichtransmits the measurement data wirelessly to the portable computer.

EP 1688746A2 describes an invention which measures human body movements.These body movements are acquired by means of an accelerometer.

WO 0169180A1 describes an invention, which renders it possible tomeasure the speed and distance during a running motion, for exampleduring endurance training.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,025B2 describes an invention for identifyingmovement on a rigid body connected by hinges. This invention candetermine the position of a sensor in space.

US 005807284A describes an invention for tracking the human head orbodies of similar size. By way of example, this invention serves totrack head movements in virtual reality applications.

DE 10029459A1 describes an invention for acquiring the position and/ormovement of an object and/or living being and parts of this apparatus.By way of example, this invention is suitable for determining theposition of a match ball on an association football field in order, forexample, to determine whether the ball was positioned behind the goalline in the case of a shot on goal.

DE 10029459A1 describes an invention which can recognize, track, displayand identify the repeating movements of swimmers. The application of theinvention relates to swimming-specific movement patterns, two movementaxes and acceleration data.

CA 1148186 describes an invention, which enables tennis players to learnthe controlled bending of the wrist. “It is therefore the primary objectof this invention to provide means whereby a player can be automaticallyinformed of errors, so that he can learn to avoid them.” (CA 1148186,pages 1-2). In order to determine the bend of the wrist, use is made ofseveral bands and cables, and also an external recording device andsensor unit. The invention is not situated in a single closed device.The external recording device stores the number and frequency of thebends of the wrist.

DE 4222373A1 describes an invention for measuring path and speed ofathletes such as e.g. skiers, surfers, sailors or cyclists. Use is madeof an accelerometer for calculating the path and the speed.

DE 19830359A2 describes an invention for determining spatial positioningand movement of body parts and bodies by means of a combination ofinertial orientation pickups and position acquisition sensor systems. Byway of example, this invention could be used to determine the positionof a body segment in space or in a partial coordinate system.

US 005676157A describes an invention for determining kinematicallyrestricted multi-hinged structures. This invention renders it possibleto determine the spatial position and orientation of body segments.

DE 102006047099A1 describes an invention for collecting and preparingtraining data in a fitness studio. This invention enables an acquisitionof training data on stationary training equipment in the form of force,movement and repetition information and the preparation of the data formonitoring the training.

US 20070219059A1 describes an invention for continuously monitoringexercises and the real-time analysis thereof. As a result of thisinvention, it is possible to monitor body noises, body signs, vitalfunctions, movements and machine settings continuously andautomatically. This invention is designed specifically for heart-lungmonitoring of an athlete during a training program in order to ensurethe safety when carrying out exercises, particularly in the case ofrehabilitation patients.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,829 describes an invention, which renders itpossible to acquire movements of two body segments, e.g. the wrist andthe forearm, in sports such as e.g. tennis. Two separate modules areused to acquire these movements.

US 20110082394A1 describes an invention for monitoring sports-relatedfitness by estimating the muscle strength and the common strength ofextremities, said invention consisting of a sensor module and aforce/path detection module for classifying movement series in relationto the muscle strength and the common strength of the limbs. By way ofexample, this invention can be used to identify/classify movements,which, for example, are carried out in the upper and lower limbs.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,219B1 describes an invention for automaticbiomechanical analysis and identification and correction of posturedeviations. By means of optical markers at various body joints, thisinvention renders it possible to detect said body joints in space and toundertake analyses.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,436B2 describes an invention in order to be able todistinguish a lying, seated or standing position of the human body.Furthermore, this invention can be used to determine too much or toolittle activity of joints or movements.

In order to analyze training data, use has until now been made in sportssciences, particularly in team sports and in endurance training, ofmathematical and statistical models or unconventional modelingparadigms. By way of example, these models serve in predictingcompetition performance (e.g. in swimming) or in analyzing tacticalinteractions in team sports (e.g. in association football). Until now,previous models, which are intended to serve for analysis andpredictions of training effects (performance), have a low model qualityand prediction power, greatly simplify the interaction of training loadand performance (e.g. one input variable and one output variable) or donot allow causal interpretations of the results. Furthermore, these arerestricted in terms of their temporal depth, linked to a multiplicity ofconditions (e.g. only advanced athletes) and the results are notevaluated by algorithm, i.e. they do not result in specific trainingrecommendations. In order to deduce training recommendations from theresults of such a model, there was always need for experts (e.g.trainers), who can interpret the difficult to understand connectionbetween training load and performance.

When looking at the listed inventions, it becomes clear that, until now,no invention has been developed for strength training, which renders itpossible to capture a multiplicity of relevant training data, in allstrength-training exercises, with all training utensils, in a precisemanner, without relying on fixedly predetermined training programs,smartphones and/or electronic stationary strength training instruments.When looking at the models for training data analysis, it becomes clearthat, until now, a continuous analysis of training data in strengthtraining is lacking; i.e., there is no model that can derive specifictraining recommendations from the analyses (control of the strengthtraining) and predict the performance of the user in strength trainingwith a high model quality. In the listed inventions, a generic methodfor training data acquisition comprises the following steps: affixing amobile device to a body segment; determining sensor values in movementpatterns by means of said mobile device; calculating training data fromsaid sensor values using said mobile device; storing said training datain a first storage unit in said mobile device; transmitting saidtraining data from said mobile device to a computer via a datainterface. In the listed inventions, a generic device for training dataacquisition contains: a housing; a sensor for determining sensor values;a processor for calculating training data; a first storage unit forstoring said training data; a data interface for transmitting saidtraining data to a computer.

In order to be able to acquire precisely a multiplicity of relevanttraining data, in all strength-training exercises, with all trainingutensils, a user requires a selection of strength-training exercises andtraining utensils in an invention in order to be able to calculateprecisely the aforementioned relevant training data since themeasurement values vary greatly depending on strength-training exerciseand selected training utensil. Furthermore, in order to obtain validtraining data, users require a method, which can determine the positionof the force contact point of the training load in space. Whendetermining sensor values, this method can only be really precise if themathematical structure and the measurement errors are already known inthe respectively selected strength-training exercises with a trainingutensil and the associated set movement patterns. In order to providealgorithm-based training recommendations in strength training (controlof the strength training) and in order to be able to predict theperformance of a user in strength training, the one-time acquisition oftraining data in a training unit is insufficient. Training data have tobe acquired and analyzed over a relatively long period of time(continuously in various training process planes).

By improving a generic method and a generic device, it is an object ofthe invention to offer a user the option in strength training of beingable to precisely acquire relevant training data in allstrength-training exercises, with every available training utensil, andto analyze these training data and to control the strength training onthe basis of a multiplicity of training data and to be able to calculatepredictions of the performance.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, this object isachieved by a method for precise, mobile acquisition of training data,consisting of the following steps: selecting a strength-trainingexercise with a set movement pattern and a training utensil, from Nstrength-training exercises and M training utensils by means of a mobiledevice; recalling predetermined movement data, consisting of thecharacteristic variables of set movement patterns of one saidstrength-training exercise X using one said training utensil Y from asecond storage unit in said mobile device; determining raw sensor valuesusing said mobile device in said set movement patterns of saidstrength-training exercise X using said training utensil Y, consistingof acceleration and angular speed values; calculating reworkedmeasurement values using said mobile device depending on saidpredetermined movement data and said raw sensor values; preciselycalculating multiple training data using said mobile device, on thebasis of said reworked measurement values.

It was found that the significance during the analysis of training datacan be increased if a multiplicity of training data are acquired, whichis why the acquired training data are referred to as “multiple trainingdata”, although these can also contain a single training data parameter.The term “precise” is defined in such a way that the movement patternsare predetermined by the selection of the strength-training exercisesand training utensils and, as a result thereof, the mathematicalstructure and the measurement errors are known. These said predeterminedmovement patterns are located on the second storage unit in the mobiledevice and are processed together with the raw sensor data. Inventionsthat do not explicitly contain modeling of the strength-trainingexercises with said training utensils have less precise calculationssince movement patterns and sensor values are not known in advance. Theterm “relevant” is defined in such a way that said multiple trainingdata are necessary for the training progress of the user. Training datafrom other inventions, such as e.g. information relating to the distancerun, would be unusable for analysis of strength training.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a device for precise, mobiletraining data acquisition, consisting of: the second storage unit onwhich the predetermined movement data are stored, which movement dataconsist of the characteristic variables of set movement patterns of Nstrength-training exercises using a training utensil Y, and are recalledfrom the processor; an accelerometer and rate sensor for determiningacceleration and/or angular speed values, which are transmitted to theprocessor. This device is the mobile device of the method for precise,mobile training data acquisition. The mobile device can be embodied inthe form of a wristwatch. Furthermore, the mobile device contains awireless interface for wireless data interchange with at least onesensor module and/or at least one wireless station and/or any otherdevices. The wireless interface serves for wireless transmission ofdata. By way of example, it can be embodied as a 2.4 GHz wirelessinterface. The wireless station can for example serve for real-time datatransmission, for example in a fitness studio. By way of example, thesensor module can correspond to a restricted embodiment variant of themobile device. By way of example, the other devices can be human scalesand/or smartphones and/or body composition analyzers. The mobile devicecontains an RFID unit, which is embodied as RFID reading unit and asRFID transmission unit; said RFID unit can communicate with RFID tags,which are attached to said training utensil and/or integrated in saidtraining utensil and/or situated in the vicinity of said trainingutensil, and/or with external devices. By way of example, the trainingutensils can include “dumbbells”, “barbells”, “cable machines”,“machines” or the “own body weight”. By way of example, the externaldevices are turnstiles, by means of which e.g. check in/out into/fromthe fitness studio is carried out, and/or lockers, which can e.g. beopened or locked, and/or base stations, at which e.g. training data canbe recalled. Furthermore, the mobile device contains a magnetometer formeasuring the magnetic flux density vector. Moreover, the mobile devicecontains a user interface and/or a display unit and/or a vibration motorand/or a loudspeaker. By way of example, the user interface can be inthe form of buttons/keys, which e.g. are situated on the outer edge ofthe mobile device. The display unit, for example in the form of adisplay, shows the user a graphical user interface. The display unititself can be embodied as a user interface, for example in the form of atouchscreen. The raw sensor values and/or the reworked measurementvalues and/or the multiple training data can be stored on a firststorage unit. The second storage unit contains the predeterminedmovement data. The first storage unit and/or the second storage unit cane.g. be configured as integrated flash module and/or as SD memory card.The sensors in the mobile device are the accelerometer, the rate sensor(gyroscope) and the magnetometer. The processor, inter alia, recalls thepredetermined movement data from the second storage unit and obtains theraw sensor values from the sensors. The reworked measurement values aregenerated in an algorithm, depending on the raw sensor values and thepredetermined movement data from the second storage unit. Furthermore,the mobile device contains a rechargeable battery, for example a lithiumrechargeable battery. The mobile device contains an interface (alsoreferred to as data interface), for example a USB interface, which isemployed both for data transmission to a computer of the user and forsupplying the mobile device with power.

Calculating reworked measurement values using the mobile devicecomprises at least one of the following steps:

-   -   initially calibrating said mobile device in order to improve        said calculation and/or extend said multiple training data;    -   including said magnetic flux density vector in said raw sensor        values;    -   fusing said raw sensor values with said predetermined movement        data;    -   integrating said acceleration values twice;    -   filtering sensor offsets.

Combining an accelerometer and a rate sensor, and fusing the raw sensorvalues and the predetermined movement data, for example by means of aKalman filter/direction cosine matrix, allows the alignment of themobile device in space (roll angle, pitch angle, yaw angle) to becalculated relative to the Earth. Calculating the alignment in the movedstate by means of acceleration data only is not possible, since, inaddition to the gravitational acceleration, further accelerations thatcannot be separated occur. As a result of the known alignment, it ispossible to transform the acceleration data from the local system(mobile device) into the global coordinate system. It is possible todetermine accelerations in the global coordinate system. Only as aresult of the conversion of the accelerations is it possible tocalculate movement vectors and all variables resulting therefrom. Withthe aid of the set reference system, it is also possible to attach themobile device at positions that rotate during the planned movement, eventhough the movement is in a straight line. As a result of a mathematicalcorrection, the mobile device can also be situated away from the centerpoint of the movement, i.e. the force contact point of the trainingload, if the respective distances are entered into the mobile device.The movement vector of the mobile device can be recorded by integratingthe accelerations twice. A systemic offset as a result of drift of theaccelerometer and the rate sensor over time can be eliminated by e.g.high-pass filters, particularly in the case of two-fold integration.Since the displacement/time profile of the force contact point of thetraining load is therefore known, it is possible e.g. to acquire themovement rhythm, the movement amplitude and the movement direction.

In order to further increase the accuracy of the method, thepreliminarily calculated position of the mobile device, specifically themovement thereof in space, is subjected to further plausibility tests.Here, information in relation to the human skeletal system, for example,is included.

On the basis of said raw sensor values, said multiple training datacontain at least one of the following items of information:

-   -   precise displacement/time profile of the force contact point of        the training load along the X-axis and/or Y-axis and/or Z-axis;    -   time under tension of eccentric muscle length changes and/or        concentric muscle length changes and/or isometric muscle        contractions;    -   number of movement repetitions;    -   mechanical work;    -   rotational work;    -   muscle load;    -   torque;    -   force;    -   impulse;    -   physical effect;    -   grip width;    -   grip variant;    -   foot position;    -   initial angle of a superior joint;    -   muscle length state;    -   level of exertion;    -   type of movement in a joint;    -   intensity technique applied in a training set;    -   training method.

Individual items of training data of the multiple training data can alsobe acquired and/or processed further with time dependence, such as e.g.the time-dependent processing of the torque (torque/time profile). Forother training data, such as e.g. the displacement/time profile of theforce contact point of the training load along the X-axis and/or Y-axisand/or Z-axis, it may be sufficient for merely individual value ranges,such as e.g. the displacement profile, to be acquired.

In order to improve the calculation and/or extend the multiple trainingdata, a calibration is carried out prior to the start of the movementpattern, as a result of which the location and position of said mobiledevice in space is calculated. Furthermore, the initial position of bodysegments in strength-training exercises is established by thecalibration and additional training data are calculated, such as e.g.the initial angle of a superior joint, for example the shoulder joint inthe case of a strength-training exercise in which there is bendingand/or stretching in the elbow joint, and/or a gripping width, forexample on a barbell, and/or the position of one foot or of both feet,for example in the case of strength-training exercises with bendingand/or stretching of the knee. The gripping width can, for example, becalculated by an angle of the forearm in relation to the trainingutensil (for example “barbell”). To this end, it is necessary for aselected distance of the hands and the associated angle of the forearmto be known once. These distances can, in the case of a predeterminedangle of the forearm, be entered manually by the user by means of theuser interface and/or the display unit. Following this, the grip widthcan be calculated automatically, without manual specifications having tobe provided a second time. The same procedure relates to the footposition and an angle of the shank in relation to the training utensil.Moreover, it is possible for the grip variant (e.g. prone grip, supinegrip, hammer grip, palm grip, pinch grip, EZ grip) to be selected bymeans of the user interface and/or display unit and/or for the gripvariant to be acquired in an automated fashion on the basis of the rawsensor values.

Further training data are acquired, which contain at least one of thefollowing items of information:

-   -   training load;    -   type of training utensil;    -   type of strength-training exercise;    -   modified application of force on the contact point of the        training load when selecting the cable machine and/or machine        training utensil;    -   intended speed;    -   rest times between movement repetitions and/or training sets        and/or strength-training exercises and/or training units and/or        micro-cycles and/or meso-cycles and/or macro-cycles;    -   number of training sets and/or strength-training exercises        and/or training units and/or micro-cycles and/or meso-cycles        and/or macro-cycles;    -   duration of movement repetitions and/or training sets and/or        strength-training exercises and/or training units and/or        micro-cycles and/or meso-cycles and/or macro-cycles;    -   date and time of a training unit;    -   subjective current form;    -   sequence of strength-training exercises.

The method contains a user selecting a training load and/or the trainingutensil and/or the strength-training exercise in an automated manner bymeans of an RFID unit and RFID tag and/or selecting it in a manualmanner by means of the user interface and/or the display unit, and/orthe strength-training exercise being acquired automatically, proceedingfrom the raw sensor values. Here, the “acquisition” is an option forsaid selection of said strength-training exercise X. Here, the selectionof the training load relates to a subset of the multiple training data.The automated selection by means of the RFID unit is brought about bymeans of an RFID tag which is attached to the training utensil, e.g. abarbell, and/or which is integrated into the training utensil and/orsituated in the vicinity of the training utensil. The RFID tag transmits“training load”, “type of training utensil” and optionally also “type ofstrength-training exercise” information to the mobile device. In theexample of the “barbell” training utensil, the training load emergesfrom the sum of the mass of the barbell and the weight disks attached tothe barbell. The mobile device is configured to sum the mass of thetraining utensil and the weight disks and to combine this to form anitem of training load information. The same procedure is called for inthe case of the dumbbell training utensil. If this is a compactdumbbell, in which the number of weight disks cannot be changed, thereis no need to sum up the training weights.

This information relating to what strength-training exercise is carriedout is already predetermined when selecting the “machine” trainingutensil in the case of most machines since machines fixedly predeterminethe movement pattern in strength training. As a result, the RFID tag canalso transmit the “type of strength-training exercise” information tothe mobile device. In the case of the barbell, dumbbell, cable machineand body strength training utensils, the movement patterns are onlyfixedly predetermined in combination with a strength-training exercise.Accordingly, different strength-training exercises can be carried outusing one training utensil. When selecting the “dumbbell”, “barbell”,“cable machine” and “machine/equipment” training utensils, predeterminedmovement patterns relate to the strength-training exercise being carriedout correctly using these training utensils. Naturally, as a result ofthe predetermined movement patterns in the strength-training exercise X,the user is not restricted in his movement options with the dumbbell,barbell, cable machine and body strength training utensils.

If the selection is undertaken manually by means of the user interfaceand/or the display unit, or if this is the “machine” training utensilwith an RFID tag, the predetermined movement data of a strength-trainingexercise X using a training utensil Y, situated in said second storageunit, are recalled directly by the processor and continuously processedwith the raw sensor values. If the user does not select astrength-training exercise prior to the movement pattern, it is possibleto acquire a strength-training exercise automatically, proceeding fromthe raw sensor values.

Within training practice, the scope of the training is, for reasons ofsimplicity, calculated from the product of the number of movementrepetitions and training load. Naturally, this method of calculationdoes not provide information about the actual mechanical work done. Themechanical work is calculated from the product of force anddisplacement. Since all strength-training exercises are body segmentmovements by rotations about joint axes, the rotational work, whichemerges from the product of torque and rotational angle, is alsocalculated. The distances required for calculating the torque (e.g. thedistance between force contact point of the training load and therotational axis/joint, i.e. the lever) can be entered into the mobiledevice by means of the user interface and/or the display unit.

When the cable machine and/or machine training utensil is selected, themodified application of force on the contact point of the training loadcan be calculated in the case of gear-reduced training utensils (weightover a pulley or the like) if a gear reduction factor is manuallyentered by the user using the user interface and/or the display unitand/or if the gear reduction factor for a specific cable machine and/ormachine type is already stored on the mobile device.

In relation to the change in length of the muscular system, there arethree types of muscle work and three forms of muscle contractions:dynamic-positive, dynamic-negative and static muscle work, as well asconcentric and eccentric muscle length changes and isometric musclecontractions. When statically holding a training utensil (isometricmuscle contraction), no work is performed in the physical sense, but themuscle continues to consume energy. Thus, it does not suffice tocalculate the extent of the training only by the mechanical work. Afurther measurement variable has to be added. This is the so-called timeunder tension (abbreviated TUT), which is often also referred to as“physiological work” or “tension time” in the literature. The time undertension of the muscles is calculated in this case not only duringisometric contractions (static holding work), but also during eccentricand concentric muscle length changes, i.e. in the case ofdynamic-positive and dynamic-negative muscle work.

In order to be able to calculate the time under tension of a muscularsystem in a strength-training exercise, information with respect to theanatomy of the human skeletal system and the functions of the muscularsystem already has to be provided. In joints, muscles can, for example,have the function of internal and external rotation, translation,abduction and adduction, extension and flexion, supination andpronation, and also anteversion and retroversion. Here, instrength-training exercises, there is a so-called target muscularsystem, to which mainly the main load is applied in the respectivetraining exercise (e.g. “m. pectoralis major” in the “bench press”training exercise), a supporting muscular system (e.g. “m. tricepsbrachii” and “m. deltoideus clavicularis” in the “bench press” trainingexercise) and a stabilizing muscular system, usually the antagonisticcontracting muscular system (e.g. “m. biceps brachii” in the “benchpress” training exercise). The muscles to which load is applied instrength training are stored in the second storage unit and areautomatically assigned to the respectively selected strength-trainingexercises. In order to be able to weight the load of one or more muscles(the muscle loads) in strength-training exercises, research results ofelectromyographic examinations are included, in addition to theanatomical information, in the weighting of muscle loads instrength-training exercises.

The movement rhythm of static, dynamic-positive and dynamic-negativemuscle work is also referred to as cadence in training practice. In sometraining methods, this cadence is deliberately drawn out and extremelyslow movements are carried out, for example in the dynamic-negativephase. In training practice, the user finds it difficult, withoutsupport, to maintain precise prescriptions of cadences, for example fourseconds dynamic-negative, two seconds static, four secondsdynamic-positive muscle work. Furthermore, in joints of the human body,there is a work angle, in which there is a maximum distance between theline of action of the force contact point of the training load and therotational axis/joint and hence in which a larger torque is generatedfor the same amount of force. This angle range around the maximum torqueis also referred to as “optimum work angle” in sports sciences. By wayof example, this is 60°-120° in the elbow joint and 110°-120° internalangle when extending the knee. In training practice, this optimum workangle can only be maintained with difficulty by the user withoutsupport. In this optimum work angle, in which the greatest amount oftorque is generated, muscles can be situated in different length states.In sports sciences, three muscle length states are differentiated from aclassification point of view: a stretched muscle length state, acontracted muscle length state and a middling muscle length state. Inthe stretched length state, the muscle is stretched, in the contractedlength state, it is pulled together and in the middling length statesaid muscle is between the stretched and the pulled-together lengthstate. Naturally, the transitions between the muscle length states arecontinuous. What length state muscle is situated in depends on theinitial angle of a superior joint, for example, the shoulder joint inthe case of a strength-training exercise in which there is bendingand/or stretching in the elbow joint. This initial angle of a superiorjoint can be acquired by said initial calibration of the mobile device,as a result of which the muscle length state is also acquired.

As already described above, the invention does not restrict the user inthe movement options in strength-training exercises. Accordingly, theuser can also undertake deviations from an ideal line of the movement ofa strength-training exercise X using a training utensil Y. Thesedeviations are acquired and can relate to the movement amplitude and/orthe movement direction. The movement amplitude is movement, joint andmuscle specific and varies from user to user, which is why there canoptionally be an initial calibration using the mobile device, in whichthe full movement amplitude in the strength-training exercise isemployed.

The method contains optical and/or acoustic and/or haptic signals beingprovided to said user by means of said mobile device for the purposes ofsupport when carrying out the predetermined movement pattern, whereinsaid signals contain information about e.g. the rhythm and/or theamplitude and/or the direction of the predetermined movement pattern. Byway of example, the user can more easily maintain the cadence (movementrhythm), which e.g. is predetermined by a training method and/ortraining plan, and/or the movement direction and/or the movementamplitude of a predetermined movement pattern of a strength-trainingexercise and/or the optimum work angle in a joint as a result of theoptical and/or acoustic and/or haptic signals.

Furthermore, it is possible to acquire the date and the time of atraining unit. Furthermore, it is possible to acquire pause timesbetween movement repetitions, training sets, strength-trainingexercises, training units, micro-, meso- and/or micro-cycles. Moreover,it is possible to acquire the duration of movement repetitions and/ortraining sets and/or strength-training exercises and/or training unitsand/or micro-cycles and/or meso-cycles and/or micro-cycles. By way ofexample, a micro-cycle can comprise a week, a meso-cycle can compriseten weeks and a macro-cycle can comprise thirty weeks, during which e.g.several training units were completed. Furthermore, it is possible toacquire the number of movement repetitions and/or training sets and/orstrength-training exercise and/or training units and/or micro-cyclesand/or meso-cycles and/or micro-cycles. It is also possible to acquirethe sequence of strength-training exercises. Moreover, in said mobiledevice, it is possible to enter an intended speed manually by means ofthe user interface and/or the display unit if said speed does notcorrespond to the actual speed. By way of example, this may be the caseif, as a result of a very high training load, the movement is carriedout very slowly, but, in actual fact, work is undertaken with themaximum speed against the training load. Moreover, an applied intensitytechnique (e.g. reduction set, partial repetitions, supersets, negativeset, etc.) can be selected in the mobile device after each training set.These intensity techniques are already in the multiple training data asimplicit information, but can be stored explicitly by the user duringthe training unit. Furthermore, the mobile device can remind a user of atraining unit by means of optical and/or acoustic and/or haptic signals.This reminder can be set individually, for example by means of the userinterface and/or display unit and/or wireless interface and/orinterface.

The method contains additional raw sensor values being transmitted fromat least one said sensor module to said mobile device via the wirelessinterface. The sensor module, which, for example, corresponds to arestricted embodiment variant of the mobile device, e.g. without theuser interface, the display unit and the RFID unit, enables theacquisition of the additional raw sensor values and the wirelesstransmission of the additional raw sensor values to the mobile device.The additional raw sensor values can also be preprocessed in the sensormodule prior to the transmission to the mobile device. As a result ofthe sensor module, there is no need to reposition the mobile device whenchanging to specific strength-training exercises (e.g. from a legexercise to an upper body exercise). By way of example, the mobiledevice is situated on the wrist/forearm and the sensor module is on theankle joint of the user. By way of example, the mobile device positionedon the wrist/forearm is configured in combination with the sensor modulepositioned on the ankle joint, which can calculate said multipletraining data in all strength-training exercises, with all trainingutensils, without having to reposition the mobile device and/or thesensor module depending on the strength-training exercise X with thetraining utensil Y. Nevertheless, repositioning to other body segments(e.g. hip, thigh, upper arm, wrist/forearm, chest) and/or to thetraining utensil itself (e.g. in the case of pure wrist joint extensionsand/or bends) can optionally be undertaken; and this is communicatedbetween the user and the mobile device by means of e.g. the userinterface and/or display unit. This arrangement can be complemented by achest belt, which is positioned on the chest of the user and on whichthe sensor module is attached and/or integrated. This chest belt can beconfigured to acquire the pulse.

Furthermore, the method contains said multiple training data and/or saidreworked measurement values and/or said raw sensor values and/or saidfurther training data being transmitted to the first storage unit insaid mobile device and/or transmitted to a computer and/or the wirelessstation via the interface and/or the wireless interface and transmittedto a training data server via the Internet and/or transmitted to acomputer of an external user via the Internet and/or a directconnection. The user logs onto said training data server with a userprofile over the Internet. On said training data server, the user enterspersonal user data, for example training experience in a specific timeunit, performance values, age, sex, prior illnesses, further athleticactivities, habitual bodily exercise, energy supply, temporal andmotivational aspects, previously used training methods and trainingcontents, date of the last carried out training unit, personal traininggoals, body weight, body fat proportion, total fat-free muscle mass,local fat-free muscle mass, body fat mass. By way of example, the usercan transmit the multiple training data and/or the reworked measurementvalues and/or the raw sensor values and/or the further training data tothe training data server by his computer and via the Internet and hasaccess on the training data server to already transmitted said multipletraining data and/or said reworked measurement values and/or said rawsensor values and/or said further training data. By way of example, thewireless station can be placed in a fitness studio and can serve forreal-time data transmission. The external user can, for example, be atrainer, physiotherapist or medical practitioner, wherein the latter canaccess the training data server and receives the multiple training dataand/or said reworked measurement values and/or said raw sensor valuesand/or said further training data transmitted in real-time to hiscomputer by the wireless station. By means of his computer, the externaluser can control the mobile device and/or undertake settings, i.e. forexample store movement patterns of specific movement repetitions on themobile device.

The method contains a continuous analysis of said multiple training dataand/or of said reworked measurement values and/or of said raw sensorvalues and/or of personal user data and/or of the further training dataon said training data server; said continuous analyses being based on atraining model; said training model being stored on said training dataserver and combining a first submodel and a second submodel; saidtraining model containing said multiple training data and/or saidreworked measurement values and/or said raw sensor values and/or saidpersonal user data and/or said further training data as input data; saidtraining model predicting the performance of said user in strengthtraining on the basis of said first submodel; said training modelcontrolling the strength training of a user on the basis of said secondsubmodel.

In order to describe the performance of the user in strength training itis possible to use several measurement variables, for example onerepetition maximum/concentric maximal strength, multiple repetitionmaximum, movement repetitions and training load, the time under tensionof eccentric and concentric muscle length changes and isometric musclecontractions, forced per unit time, speed and/or angular speed, (local)fat-free muscle mass, impulse, physical effect, and these can serve asoutput of the training model on the basis of the first submodel. Theterms “output”, “output data” and “performance” of the user in thestrength training are used synonymously. These measurement variables ofthe performance in strength training can relate to strength-trainingexercises and/or muscles and/or muscle groups and/or body segmentmovements. The training model can make the selection of a measurementvariable of the performance in strength training dependent on thetraining method which is applied by the user and/or use the latter incombination. The training methods can be established on the basis of asubset of the multiple training data, for example on the basis of thenumber of movement repetitions and/or the time under tension and/or thetraining load. By way of example, it is possible to distinguish betweenthe training methods of intramuscular coordination method,hypertrophy-specific method, mixed method, muscular endurance method orspeed-oriented maximum strength method. By way of example, when applyingthe intramuscular coordination method, the “one repetition maximum”measurement variable lends itself since only a small number of movementrepetitions are carried out with a high training load and the “onerepetition maximum” describes the greatest training load which, despitethe greatest possible effort, can only be moved once. In the case ofhypertrophy-specific training, it may, for example, be the (local)fat-free muscle mass that is of interest, which, for example, can bemeasured by means of the other devices (e.g. a “body compositionanalyzer”—bioelectric impedance analysis). Data from other devices can,for example, be transmitted to the mobile device via the wirelessinterface or the interface and/or to the training data server via acomputer so that these are available to the training model and thesubmodels. The measurement variables of the performance in strengthtraining can be can combined to form a performance index or severalperformance indices in order to be able to provide the user with asimpler overview in respect of his current performance.

In order to measure the performance, it is possible to make adistinction between direct and indirect performance diagnostics. Directperformance diagnostics would provide a sport motor activity testmethod, which is carried out independently from the actual trainingprocess. By way of example, this could provide determining the isometricmaximal strength on a force plate or measuring the one repetitionmaximum, which, for example, is carried out prior to and after athree-month training cycle. By contrast, indirect performancediagnostics are carried out during the training time. The inventioncontains an indirect approach to performance diagnostics in strengthtraining, which extracts the implicitly obtained information of theperformance at the time t from the multiple training data and/or thefurther training data and/or the reworked measurement values and/or theraw sensor values and/or the personal user data. As a result, additionaltest methods (e.g. carrying out test movements when measuring the onerepetition maximum) are dispensed with and it is possible to acquire andmonitor the performance continuously (in each training unit).

In order to ensure the reliability of the indirect measurement of theperformance in strength training, knowledge about the level of exertion(also referred to as load termination criterion, level of exhaustion orlevel of maximum exertion) of the user in the respective training set isnecessary. Theoretically, when relating to the performance, theassumption would always have to be made of a maximum load, in which theuser is unable to continue the movement. Since a continuous maximum loadcannot be presumed, different levels of exertion have to be acquired andweighted differently (e.g. supramaximal, point of current musclefailure, repetition maximum, subjectively very difficult, subjectivelydifficult, subjectively average, etc.). The percentage quantification ofthe load in respect of performance, i.e. the percentage distance frome.g. the subjective mean load to the actual maximum performance, can beundertaken on the basis of empirical values. The method containsestablishing the level of exertion in a training set.

Furthermore, the latter can be put into a percentage ratio in relationto the performance. The acquisition can be undertaken based on, interalia, the raw sensor values. For this, there are a multiplicity ofalgorithmic approaches from machine learning. It is possible todistinguish between supervised learning, unsupervised learning andreinforcement learning. By way of example, this can be undertaken bymeans of data-based modeling paradigms (e.g. artificial neural networks,hidden Markov models) and/or further mathematical/statistical methods.In the case of supervised learning, the user manually specifies to themobile device with which level of exertion the training set wascompleted (so-called training data/learning data for a learningalgorithm). As a result of the training data/learning data, the learningalgorithm adapts itself independently and calculates itself with whichlevel of exertion further training sets were carried out. Thereafter,the user can himself check whether the later calculations are correct(so-called validation data for the learning algorithm). The learningalgorithm can contain a mixture of supervised, unsupervised andreinforcement learning and be carried out both on the mobile deviceitself and also on the training data server. Furthermore, an extrabutton designed specifically for this can, for example, be present onthe mobile device, by means of which button it is conveniently specifiedafter each training set the level of exertion with which the trainingset was completed. Acquiring the level of exertion can be complementedby a pulse measurement. By means of questioning via the user interfaceand/or display unit of the mobile device, it is possible to acquire thesubjective current form of the user on the day of a training unit inorder, for example, to apportion a lower weighting to bad performancevalues on that particular day.

Data-based modeling approaches, such as e.g. model trees or artificialneural networks, may lend themselves to predicting the performance of auser in strength training. Artificial neural networks are black boxmodeling, as a result of which it is subsequently hardly possible tomake causal interpretations. In data mining, model trees were developedfor numerical predictions, which are similar to the model structure ofartificial neural networks. By contrast, model trees supply a repeatableand understandable representation by virtue of subdividing the inducedfunction into linear sections, as a result of which additional trainingdata analyses are made possible on the basis of the model tree.Artificial neural networks or the optimized model trees, which havepreviously not been used in strength training, are integrated in thefirst submodel and are combined with the second submodel in the trainingmodel. On the basis of the first submodel, the training model can imagethe interaction between training load (input of the training model) andperformance (output of the training model) in the strength trainingprocess with several attributes, i.e. for example several loadparameters (scope of training, training duration, training intensity,training frequency, ratio between activity and training duration) and,as a result, it is possible to analyze training effects (modifiedperformance values) and, as a result, predict these. Here, the firstsubmodel is not only bound to the described input data and/or outputdata and it is also possible to complement and/or replace these withfurther measurement variables. In order to improve the model quality, itis also possible to apply further approaches from data mining and/ormachine learning and/or statistics and/or other mathematical and/orcomputer-scientific approaches.

Fuzzy logic, which was not previously used in strength training, lendsitself to controlling the strength training. Integrated into the secondsubmodel is a knowledge-based fuzzy model and state transition modelingin the form of a finite automaton for algorithmic control of thestrength training, resulting in specific training recommendations forthe user. Within the second submodel, the user is subdivided intoso-called fields of applications (e.g. children, adolescents, healthfitness, prevention, rehabilitation, beginner athlete, advanced athlete)on the basis of fuzzy functions and the personal user data. A largenumber of empirical research results into strength training, which, forexample, are described in literature relating to sports sciences servesas a basis for functions and rules of the second submodel. By means offunctions and on the basis of rules (e.g. if-then rules), it is thuspossible, for example, to calculate the necessary changes to a newtraining method, which, for example, was carried out after specifictemporal training duration with a specific scope of training, a specifictraining intensity, ratio between activity and training duration andtraining frequency. Within the second submodel, process states in thestrength training process are diagnosed for this; state changes aremodeled (e.g. change of training methods or strength-training exercises)and a finite automaton (state transition model) controls this process.The control can occur on different training process planes (temporaldepth of the control, e.g. movement repetition, training set,strength-training exercise, training unit, micro-cycle, meso-cycle,macro-cycle etc.). Furthermore, information of said interaction betweentraining load (input of the training model) and performance (output ofthe training model) in the strength training process, in the firstsubmodel, can be combined with the control of the second submodel, inthe training model. Here, the control of the second submodel relatesboth on the load parameters to be selected by the user and to thestrength-training exercises, the selection, sequence and form oforganization of which are made depending on the multiple training dataand/or the further training data and/or the reworked measurement valuesand/or the raw sensor values and/or the personal user data. Here, interalia, the most important contraindications when recommending loadconfigurations and strength-training exercises are taken into account onthe basis of the personal user data. This control is generallyundertaken by the external user (e.g. trainer), who, for example,receives these on his computer as action recommendation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following text, the invention will be explained in more detail onthe basis of figures. In detail:

FIG. 1 shows an overview in the form of a block diagram of oneembodiment variant of the arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a further overview of an embodiment variant of thearrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary arrangement of RFID tags on the weight stackof the “machine/equipment” and/or “cable machine” training utensils;

FIG. 4 shows a mobile device on a body segment with the distance to theforce contact point of the training load and the distance to therotational axis (elbow joint);

FIG. 5 shows a standing user with the body segment regions, on which amobile device and/or a sensor module can at least be attached;

FIG. 6 shows a “biceps curl” strength-training exercise using the“barbell” training utensil carried out by a standing user in anexemplary manner;

FIG. 7 shows a “bench press” strength-training exercise using the“barbell” training utensil carried out by a lying user in an exemplarymanner, with view from behind on the user;

FIG. 8 shows a three-dimensional perspective of the “bench press”strength-training exercise;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary initial position of the “biceps curl”strength-training exercise using the “dumbbell” training utensil,perpendicular to the ground;

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary middling forearm position in the “bicepscurl” strength-training exercise using the “dumbbell” training utensil,perpendicular to the ground;

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary angled initial position of the “biceps curl”strength-training exercise using the “dumbbell” training utensil;

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary angled middling forearm position of the“biceps curl” strength-training exercise using the “dumbbell” trainingutensil.

FIG. 1 shows an overview in the form of a block diagram of an embodimentvariant of the arrangement according to the invention. In FIG. 1, amobile device 1 is, in an exemplary manner, attached to thewrist/forearm 39 (FIG. 5) of a user 2. Further possible options of thebody segment attachment are depicted in FIG. 5. The mobile device 1contains a user interface 3, for example in the form of keys/buttons. Adisplay unit 4 shows the user 2 a graphical user interface 7 and canitself be embodied as a user interface. A second storage unit 5 containspredetermined movement data, consisting of the characteristic variablesof set movement patterns of N strength-training exercises using atraining utensil Y. The mobile device 1 contains an accelerometer 6 a, arate sensor (gyroscope) 6 b and a magnetometer 6 c. A processor 13 interalia recalls the predetermined movement data from the second storageunit 5 and obtains raw sensor values from the sensors 6 a and/or 6 band/or 6 c. Reworked measurement values are generated in the algorithm 8depending on the raw sensor values and the predetermined movement datafrom the second storage unit 5. Multiple training data are calculatedprecisely on the basis of the reworked measurement values.

A strength-training exercise and/or a training utensil, for example abarbell 11, and/or a training load can be selected by means of an RFIDunit 9 and an RFID tag 10. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary arrangement of theRFID tag on the weights of a weight stack 31 of a “cable machine” or“machine” training utensil. Communication with external devices 12, forexample turnstiles and/or lockers and/or base stations in fitnessstudios, can take place via the RFID unit 9.

In the system 14 (FIG. 1), the multiple training data and/or raw sensorvalues and/or reworked measurement values and/or further training dataare brought to a display unit 4 via the graphical user interface 7and/or stored in a first storage unit 15. The system 14 furthermoremanages the RFID unit 9, wireless interface 18 and interface 22components. The system 14 organizes the storage units 5 and 15, theenergy budget of the equipment and the processing of user inputs. Thesystem 14 monitors the charge state of a rechargeable battery 17 inorder to relay appropriate notifications to the user 2 in the case oflow-voltage. The interface 22 (also referred to as data interface) isemployed for both the data transmission and the power supply of themobile device 1. The interface 22 (FIG. 1) enables data transmission toa computer 23 of the user 2, for example by USB. The computer 23 cantransmit the multiple training data and/or the reworked measurementvalues and/or the raw sensor values and/or the further training data toa training data server 24 via the Internet 16. An external user 21 canaccess the training data server 24 via a computer 29 and via theInternet 16. The wireless interface 18 serves for the wirelesstransmission of data. A sensor module 19, which for example correspondsto a restricted embodiment variant of the mobile device 1, without userinterface 3, display unit 4 and RFID unit 9, enables the acquisition ofadditional raw sensor values and the wireless transmission of theadditional raw sensor values to the mobile device 1.

FIG. 2 shows a further overview of an embodiment variant of thearrangement according to the invention. In FIG. 2, the mobile device 1is attached to the wrist/forearm 39 (FIG. 5), embodied in the form of awristwatch and responsible for acquiring arm and upper body movements.By way of example, the sensor module 19 is attached to the high ankle 41(FIG. 5), responsible for acquiring leg movements and can optionally berepositioned on the wrist 39, thigh 40 (above the knee), hip 38, upperarm 37 and chest 36 body segments. The wrist/forearm 39, thigh 40, highankle 41, hip 38, upper arm 37 and chest 36 body segments are depictedin a large view in FIG. 5. In the strength-training exercises, in whichpure wrist extensions and bends are carried out, the sensor module canbe attached directly on the training utensil (not depicted). Thewireless interface 18 (FIG. 1) is configured to transmit data to awireless station 20. This wireless station 20 serves for datatransmission to an external user 21 and/or for data transmission to atraining data server 24 via the Internet 16. This data transmission canbe undertaken both directly, via a connection to a computer 29, and alsoindirectly, via the Internet 16 and the training data server 24. Thisdata transmission can be brought about in both wired and wirelessfashion. A wireless data transmission can be undertaken by means of aninterface 30 (FIG. 2), for example a WLAN router, which, for example, isplaced in a fitness studio. By way of example, the external user 21 canreceive the multiple training data and/or the reworked measurementvalues and/or the raw sensor values and/or further training data fromthe mobile device 1 in real-time in the training area in the fitnessstudio, by means of computer 29 (e.g. a mobile tablet PC).

Situated on the training data server 24 is a training model 25, whichcombines a first submodel 26 and a second submodel 27 and therebyimplicates the analysis of strength training. As input data 57, thetraining model 25 obtains the multiple training data and/or the reworkedmeasurement values and/or the personal user data and/or the furthertraining data and/or the raw sensor values. On the basis of the firstsubmodel 26, the training model 25 is configured to predict theperformance 59 of the user 2 in strength training. The terms “output”,“output data” and “performance” of the user in strength training areused synonymously and are described by 59. On the basis of the firstsubmodel 26, several measurement variables for describing theperformance 59 of the user 2 in strength training can be used as output59 of the training model. On the basis of the second submodel 27, thetraining model 25 is configured to control 58 the strength training ofthe user 2, i.e. to generate training recommendations.

The following embodiments will be described on the basis of FIG. 4. Inorder to calculate the torque, the force and the distances 33 and 34have to be known. Accordingly, it is necessary, once, to manually enterinto the mobile device 1 the distance 33 of the mobile device 1 from theforce contact point of the training load 32 and the distance 34 of themobile device from the rotational axis (elbow joint) 35. The dimensionsof the mobile device 1 have already been provided.

FIG. 6 shows the “biceps curl” strength-training exercise from the sideview. FIG. 6 is subdivided into sub-figures a) to e), which show asequence of times of several movements and represent the same elements.In FIG. 6, sub-figure a), 43 shows a forearm of the user 2. 11 shows the“barbell” training utensil. 42 shows the muscle “m. biceps brachii” in astretched initial position. The mobile device 1 is attached to theforearm/wrist 39 (FIG. 5). If the user 2 in FIG. 6, sub-figure b) liftsthe forearm 43, the mobile device 1 moves with the forearm 43 and thetraining utensil 11 covers the path 45 from the initial position 44. Themuscle 42 has performed dynamic-positive muscle work, required a certainamount of time for this concentric muscle length change and is situatedin a middling position. A partial movement was carried out, which wasnot carried out over the full movement amplitude or range of motion(abbreviated ROM). The mobile device 1 calculates the path 45 coveredand the displacement/time profile of the force contact point of thetraining load of the training utensil 11, the time under tension ofconcentric muscle length changes of the target muscle system “m. bicepsbrachii” 42, of the supporting muscles and the stabilizing muscles, andthe rotational work from torque and rotational angle. Sub-figure c) inFIG. 3 shows that the muscle 42 performs dynamic-negative muscle workand that the training utensil 11 is lowered.

In FIG. 6, sub-figure d), 42 shows a muscle that has completelycontracted as a result of lifting the training utensil 11. The forearmcannot be brought any closer to the upper arm. The full movementamplitude was utilized. In FIG. 6, sub-figure d), 46 shows a randomdeviation of the path profile of the training utensil from the idealline of the movement, which results in a longer path covered and whichis acquired by the mobile device 1. In FIG. 6, sub-figure e), 47 shows adisplacement/time profile of the training utensil, in which the movementwas stopped in the middle of the movement amplitude. When staticallyholding the training utensil, no work is carried out in the physicalsense, but energy is continued to be consumed in the muscle. More energyis also consumed in the case where a longer path 46 covered. Thus, itdoes not suffice to calculate the scope of the training purely by themechanical work, which is why the measurement variable “time undertension” is added. 48 shows the axes in which the mobile device 1 cancalculate the displacement/time profile.

FIG. 7 shows the multi-joint “bench press” strength-training exercisefrom a rear view. For better illustration purposes, FIG. 8 shows thebench press strength-training exercise in a 3D-perspective view. FIG. 7is subdivided into sub-figures a) and b), which show a sequence of timesof a movement and represent the same elements. In FIG. 7, sub-figure a),11 shows the “barbell” training utensil, which is held statically by theuser 2 in an initial position. 49 shows a grip width of the user 2 onthe training utensil 11. The mobile device 1 is attached to thewrist/forearm 39 (FIG. 5) of the user 2. As soon as the user 2 lowersthe training utensil 11 in FIG. 7, sub-figure b), the mobile device 1acquires this movement and calculates the displacement/time profilealong at least one of the three axes 48. As is possible to identify fromthe initial position of the mobile device 1 in FIG. 7, sub-figure a), tothe end position in FIG. 7, sub-figure b), of the mobile device 1, asmall portion of rotational movement is created, which would beinterpreted incorrectly by a pure accelerometer. In this example, therestill are relatively low centrifugal forces. However, the greater thedistance from the rotational axis becomes, the greater the centrifugalforces become in the case of rotational movements (for example FIG. 6:“biceps curl”). Furthermore, the further said multiple training data arecalculated.

What emerges in respect of the lever and joint angle conditions of the“biceps curl” strength-training exercise in FIG. 10 is that the line ofaction of the force 52 moves closer to the rotational axis/joint 35 (notexplicitly depicted in FIG. 10) if the angle between forearm and upperarm 55 of the joint 35 becomes too large or too small, as a result ofwhich a lower torque is generated in the case of an unchanging force. Anoptimum work angle emerges, at which a maximum distance 53 of the lineof action 52 of the force contact point of the training load 32 (FIG. 4)is generated from the rotational axis/joint 35 and hence a greatertorque is generated in the case of an unchanging force. The user can besupported in maintaining the optimum work angle by optical and/oracoustic and/or haptic signals of the mobile device 1.

FIG. 9 shows the initial position of the “biceps curl” strength-trainingexercise. The mobile device 1 is attached to the forearm/wrist 39 (FIG.5). 35 shows the rotational axis, i.e. the elbow joint, and 42 shows thetarget muscle “m. biceps brachii” in its initial length. The position ofthe armrest 51 and that of the arm are completely perpendicular. Thejoint that is responsible for the position is the shoulder joint 50. 28shows the “dumbbell” training utensil. In FIG. 10, 1 depicts the mobiledevice, and FIG. 10 also depicts the position of the forearm 54 (lever),in which the distance 53 of the line of action 52 of the force contactpoint of the training load 32 (FIG. 4) is greatest from the rotationalaxis/elbow joint 35. In this perpendicular arm position of the shoulderjoint 50, the target muscle “m. biceps brachii” 42 is situated in amiddling length state. Thus, in FIG. 10, the greatest torque (saidoptimum work angle) and hence the greatest amount of rotational work arebrought about in a middling muscle length state. 28 shows the “dumbbell”training utensil.

If one moves on to FIG. 11, an angled initial position of the armrest 51and of the shoulder joint 50 is shown, i.e. not a perpendicular initialjoint angle of the superior joint (shoulder joint) 50 in relation to therotational axis/elbow joint 35. This initial angle of the complete armor of the shoulder joint 50 can vary from strength-training exercise tostrength-training exercise and from armrest to armrest. This initialangle can naturally be transferred to strength-training exercises withe.g. leg or upper body movements. By way of example, in the case of the“lying lateral raises” strength-training exercise with the “dumbbell”training utensil (not depicted), the initial angle of the whole humanbody has to be calculated, regardless of whether it lies horizontally tothe ground on the training bench or whether the training bench wasangled. Furthermore, 1 describes the mobile device, 54 describes theforearm, 35 describes the rotational axis/elbow joint, 42 describes thetarget muscle “m. biceps brachii” in its initial length and 28 describesthe “dumbbell” training utensil.

In FIG. 12, 1 depicts the mobile device, and FIG. 12 also depicts theposition of the forearm 54 (lever), in which the distance 53 of the lineof action 52 of the force contact point of the training load 32 (FIG. 4)is greatest from the rotational axis 35. In this angled position of thearmrest 51 or of the shoulder joint 50, the target muscle “m. bicepsbrachii” 42 is situated in a stretched length state. Thus, in FIG. 12,the greatest torque (said optimum work angle) and hence the greatestamount of rotational work are brought about in a stretched muscle lengthstate.

On the basis of the descriptions in relation to FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12,it becomes clear that the initial angle of the superior joint (in theexamples the shoulder joint or the armrest) is of importance for thelength state of the target muscle, in which the greatest torque isgenerated. The mobile device 1 is configured to calculate the initialangle of the superior joint, in these examples on the basis of theshoulder joint 50 or the armrest 51, at the start of the movement, tocalculate the torque and the length state of the muscular system inaddition to said rotational work and to calculate said time undertension of eccentric and concentric muscle length changes and/orisometric contractions. FIGS. 9 to 12 show a single-joint(isolated/rotational) strength-training exercise. In the case ofmulti-joint strength-training exercises (straight line/translationalmovements—e.g. “bench press” in FIG. 7), the torque in a joint, forexample in the case of upper body exercises, is dependent on the gripwidth 49 or, for example in the case of leg exercises, on the positionof the feet.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for mobile acquisition of trainingdata, the method comprising: affixing a mobile device to a body segment;determining sensor values in movement patterns via said mobile device;calculating training data from said sensor values using said mobiledevice; storing said training data in a first storage unit in saidmobile device; transmitting said training data from said mobile deviceto a computer via a data interface; selecting a strength-trainingexercise X with a set movement pattern and a training utensil Y, fromstrength-training exercises and training utensils via the mobile device;recalling predetermined movement data, consisting of characteristicvariables of set movement patterns of said strength-training exercise Xusing said training utensil Y from a second storage unit in said mobiledevice; determining raw sensor values using said mobile device in saidset movement patterns of said strength-training exercise X using saidtraining utensil Y, consisting of acceleration and angular speed values;calculating reworked-measurement values via said mobile device based onsaid predetermined movement data and said raw sensor; calculatingmultiple training data using said mobile device, on the basis of saidreworked measurement values.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1,wherein said calculation of reworked measurement values using saidmobile device comprises at least one of the following steps: initiallycalibrating said mobile device in order to at least one of: improve saidcalculation and extend said multiple training data; including a magneticflux density vector in said raw sensor values; fusing said raw sensorvalues with said predetermined movement data; integrating saidacceleration values twice; filtering sensor offsets.
 3. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said multiple training data, which are basedon said raw sensor values, contain at least one of the following itemsof information: displacement/time profile of a force contact point of atraining load along at least one of: the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis; atleast one of: time under tension of eccentric muscle length changes,concentric muscle length changes, and isometric muscle contractions;number of movement repetitions; mechanical work; rotational work; muscleload; torque; force; impulse; physical effect; grip width; grip variant;foot position; initial angle of a superior joint; muscle length state;level of exertion; type of movement in a joint; intensity techniqueapplied in a training set; training method.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein a user selects at least one of a training load, said trainingutensil, and said strength-training exercise in at least one of: (i) anautomated manner by means of an RFID unit and RFID tag, and (ii) amanual manner by means of at least one of a user interface and displayunit.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said strength-training exerciseis acquired automatically, proceeding from said raw sensor values. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein additional raw sensor values aretransmitted from at least one sensor module to said mobile device via awireless interface.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein atleast one of said multiple training data, said reworked measurementvalues, said raw sensor values, and further training data aretransmitted to at least one of: (i) the first storage unit in saidmobile device, (ii) the computer, and (iii) a wireless station via atleast one of an interface and the wireless interface; and transmitted toat least one of (a) a training data server via the Internet, and (b) acomputer of an external user via at least one of the Internet and directconnection.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein there arecontinuous analyses of at least one of: said multiple training data,said reworked measurement values, and raw sensor values, personal userdata, and said further training data on said training data server; saidcontinuous analyses are based on a training model; said training modelis stored on said training data server and combines a first submodel andsecond submodel; said training model contains at least one of: saidmultiple training at, said reworked measurement values, and raw sensorvalues, said personal user data, and said further training data as inputdata; said training model predicts the performance of said user instrength training on the basis of said first submodel; said trainingmodel controls the strength training of said user on the basis of saidsecond submodel.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein a level of exertionin a training set is acquired.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein atleast one of optical, acoustic, and haptic signals are provided to saiduser via said mobile device for purposes of support when carrying outthe predetermined movement patterns.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereinsaid signals contain information about at least one of a rhythm, anamplitude, and the direction of the predetermined movement patterns. 12.The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said calculation of reworkedmeasurement values using said mobile device comprises fusing said rawsensor values with said predetermined movement data.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the reworked measurement values are generated in analgorithm based on said raw sensor values and said predeterminedmovement data from the second storage unit.
 14. A device for mobiletraining data acquisition, the device comprising: a housing; a sensorfor determine sensor values: a processor for calculating training data;a first storage unit for storing said training data; a data interfacefor transmitting said training data to a computer; a second storage uniton which predetermined movement data are stored, wherein thepredetermined movement data consist of characteristic variables of setmovement patterns of strength-training exercises using a trainingutensil Y, and wherein the predetermined movement data is configured tobe recalled from the processor; an accelerometer and rate sensorconfigured to determine at least one of acceleration and angular speedvalues, which are configured to be transmitted to the processor.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein the device is a wristwatch.
 16. The deviceof claim 14, wherein the device contains a wireless interface forwireless data interchange with at least one of: (i) at least one sensormodule, (ii) at least one wireless station, and (iii) any other devices.17. The device of claim 14, wherein the device contains an RFID unit,which is embodied as RFID unit and as RFID transmission unit; said RFIDunit is configured to communicate with RFID tags, which are (i) attachedto said training utensil, (ii) integrated in said training utensil,and/or (iii) situated in the vicinity of at least one of said trainingutensil and external devices.
 18. The device of claim 14, wherein thedevice contains a magnetometer for measuring magnetic flux densityvector.
 19. The device of claim 14, wherein the device contains at leastone of a user interface, a display unit, a vibration motor, and aloudspeaker.